When Wayne County was a Whippersnapper: Scoundrels learned to beware of Abraham Tawney

By PAUL LOCHERStaff Writer Published: August 10, 2012 4:00 AM

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DOYLESTOWN -- As early as the start of the Civil War, Rogues' Hollow had been branded with the reputation of being one of the roughest spots in the entire United States. In addition to the tough breed of miners the coal industry had attracted, the hollow had become a hideout for criminals and a regular hangout for all kinds of undesirables seeking a place where the law wouldn't come looking too hard for them.

The hollow became known as a place respectable people didn't want to travel through, day or night. Drunks from the saloons kept an eye on passing traffic, looking for a mark they could persuade to "set up" drinks for them at a saloon. When a likely victim was spotted, they would surround the hapless traveler's wagon and demand that he set them up with a round of drinks.

Most people faced with the demand elected to capitulate rather than antagonize a gang like that. The result of refusing might be to have one's team unhitched and run off and your wagon overturned in the street. Or one might even suffer a severe beating and perhaps be buried alive, as happened on more than one occasion.

The one man who defied these drunks and drove through the hollow at will on the way to Woods' grist mill was Abraham Tawney, a muscular giant of a man who farmed about a mile south of the hollow. Tawney was respected for his strength and no one dared challenge him. He paid strict attention to business and bothered no one. Everyone knew he would not tolerate foolishness from anybody.

Tawney's reputation was earned from an incident that took place one hot Sunday afternoon when his dog alerted him to the presence of a group of boisterous naked drunk men swimming in Chippewa Creek which bordered his farm to the north.

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When Tawney picked up his gun and went to investigate, one of the men held up his hand to the farmer, indicating he wanted help getting out of the water. When Tawney moved to help him, the swimmer grabbed his arm and attempted to jerk him in.

Tawney's temper flared instantly at being tricked, and with the extended arm he lifted the swimmer completely out of the water, carried the naked man up the embankment and threw him into the middle of a thorn bush like a sack of oats.

The other swimmers witnessed this tremendous act of strength and the story about big Abe Tawney, the hell-reducing giant, spread rapidly throughout the area.

By his actions, Tawney had always shown he wanted to be friendly with any man, but in this incident he proved he would not put up with any foolish or reckless behavior. Furthermore, he insisted that there should be no trespassing on his farm. After that incident, the scoundrels in the hollow that might prey on others more vulnerable gave Abe Tawney a wide berth and didn't bother him further.

Source: "Rogues' Hollow History and Legends" by Russell W. Frey

Sunday: How Rogues' Hollow was named

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at 330-682-2055 or email plocher@the-daily-record.com.